Tooth decay is transmitted from adults to children

It's probably very few mothers who know the composition of bacteria in their saliva and probably even fewer who know that this affects their child's dental health for life. Kisses and hugs are fine, but contact in an exchange of saliva can transmit "cariesbakterier" from mother to child. Parents should be better informed, is the assessment of Professor at the School of Dentistry in Copenhagen Svante Twetman.

Mothers pass on bacteria to their children
People who have very caries, often have a specific bacterial composition. And this "cariesbakterier" can thus be infectious. Studies show that bacteria in infants in more than 70 percent of cases of maternal origin, but the infection can also occur from other relatives or for example in a nursery environment.

Mothers with many "cariesbakterier" are at high risk of transmitting these to their children by example, sharing the place with their children or taste the baby bottle. The earlier a child is exposed to cariesbakterier, the greater is the risk that the bacteria establish a permanent and on a large scale. Thus there is an increased risk of the child developing caries in preschool, writes Tandlægebladet.

According to Professor Svante Twetman these are first and foremost to avoid direct saliva contact. One should as parents avoid taking the child's pacifier or other things that must go into the baby mouth, into his own mouth. One should not, for example try baby food temperature in his own mouth. And you should not soak the nipple, or "make clean" by taking it in his mouth.

Another measure which the mother can take is to try to reduce its level of cariesbakterier. Based on multiple independent studies highlight Svante Twetman that, "the mother can treat themselves antibacterial by rinsing the mouth with klorhexidinopløsning, or she may choose to chew xylitol chewing gum in the period until the child's first tooth eruption."

He stresses that there is some evidence that dental health in children can be improved if dental staff gives future and new parents information and advice on how to avoid transmission of cariesbakterier for her child.

Professor advises against the recommendation of sugarless gum

EU experts have recognized chewing gum with xylitol as a preventive against caries. But now, warns a professor from the School of Dentistry in Copenhagen against over-interpretation of the message that sugarless gum with xylitol reduces the risk of tooth decay in children.

A group of experts from the European Food Safety Authority has found that xylitol chewing gum reduces the risk of cariesudvikling in children. And thus there would be scientific evidence to say that sugar-free gum containing polyols (xylitol and sorbitol), reduces the risk of getting cavities.

But now, warns Professor Svante Twetman from the School of Dentistry in Copenhagen, which Tandlægebladet have asked for an interpretation of the message that sugarless gum with xylitol reduces the risk of tooth decay in children, and the professor does not believe that we should recommend the Danish children chewing gum to prevent tooth decay.

Industrial interests and inadequate documentation
Svante Twetman points out that the EU experts' conclusion is based on reports that in many cases have been initiated on the basis of industrial interests. And that the studies underlying this conclusion is of most varied quality scientifically. Among other things, the previous work and field studies from Latin America included, and it is studies of Twetman lacks validity for Danish conditions.

Professor Svante Twetman therefore believe that the evidence of xylitol's preventive effect against dental caries is inadequate. And he also lacks a health economic evaluation of chewing gum from holes. A careful calculation shows that prevention of even a single hole will require 4,000 to 5,000 pieces of gum. And since the risk of tooth decay among Danish children are already very low, there is a need to reduce this risk with xylitoltilskud.

No recommendations lack of knowledge
Svante Twetman will not rule out that sugar free gum with xylitol and sorbitol may have a beneficial effect on dental health. It stimulates saliva development and it can not be excluded that xylitol and sorbitol can affect the oral environment in a positive direction.

Svante Twetman suggest it as a possible adjunct to the treatment that you normally use to stop the development of a hole in a tooth in children and adolescents with high risk of tooth decay, such as fluoride treatment, and painting. But he also stresses that as long as there are gaps in our knowledge of such optimal dose can be given a general recommendation of chewing gum with xylitol and sorbitol.